Men's Issues Therapists in Calgary, AB

Are you struggling to break your bad habits and keep healthy relationships? Maybe you're repeating unhelpful behaviors no matter how hard you try to change. Are you dealing with the consequences of impulsive decisions, losing control, or substances? Often, these actions are the ways you learned to cope with the stresses of life to protect yourself or overcome challenges during difficult periods. When these coping mechanisms show up in life and relationships, they frequently contribute to conflict and pain. I help teens and adults struggling with addictions, men's issues and anger management to move toward greater ease and enjoyment.

Let's face it, life can feel unbearable at times and relationships are emotional. Whether this is your first time working with a psychologist or not, this is likely not a high moment for you if you're reading this. Rarely do clients start a session with, "Derrick, I feel really good. My life is great! Things couldn't be better!" The reality is you're struggling, in pain, things are not going well for you or someone you care about, and I have entered the picture somewhere along the way. That you trust me or anyone else enough to connect with you in that struggle is tough to do, and a responsibility I do not take lightly.

My 20+ years experience working with couples and individuals will be noticed. Relationships, Communication, Men's issues and Identity formation are all areas I excel at. I also get to the heart of things efficiently and concisely. Those who have worked with me in the past really appreciate my warmth and how easy it is to get to know me. I am a registered counsellor with the CCPA, and have been a careful student of everything that can help a couple and consistently deliver excellence in the counselling experience. Please see my website for more info at www.relatecounselling.ca

It can be difficult to go to counselling, particularly for the first time. Finding a therapist that you feel comfortable with is an important, and at times challenging, process. You likely want someone that can give you direction or tools, but also you connect with and feel supported by. I too feel this is important and strive to provide you with an experience that is both warm / caring AND competent/ knowledgeable. For many years I have worked with individual's and couple's concerns in this manner. I specialize in helping individuals or couples move forward, heal their pain, feel happier and find more peace.

Developing and maintaining relationships is important for living a fulfilling and meaningful life. However, relationships can also be difficult at times. Many of the people I support might be having heated arguments, unsure about their relationship, struggling with desire and intimacy, and have been hurt by a loss of trust. I also support loved ones who are looking to deepen their connection and get the most out of their lives with the people that matter most. In addition to supporting people with relationships, I have a focused interest in men's issues .

Life is hard! We may be faced with challenges from the time we are young, and sometimes the struggles come later in life. Sometimes we lose ourselves along the way. The good news is that things can change and you are already stronger and wiser than you realize! I believe in the power of human resiliency and people’s capacity for personal growth. You are the expert on your own life, and whether you are working to heal from a past trauma, trying to improve your relationship skills, overcome struggles with anxiety or depression, increase your sense of self-worth, dealing with a loss, or just working to find yourself again. I can help!

At Master's Counnseling, our counsellors bring genuine compassion and care to their practice, in order to help you flourish, in whatever stage of life you find yourself in. For over 20 years, the Masters Counselling team has created a safe place for you to process your thoughts, explore your feelings and release you into your full potential.

Coming to therapy can be difficult, especially for men. We're rarely taught how to talk about our feelings, or that it's even acceptable to share them. Whether as individuals, or as part of a couple, I provide an environment where you can talk openly, without shame or embarrassment. When working with couples, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help partners improve their connection. I ensure that both partners feel safe, acknowledging that it's often male partners who feel the most vulnerable in therapy.

You're overwhelmed and second-guessing everything. Often you feel like a failure and an imposter and wonder how you got here. Some days you’re the man you want to be, and others, you’re barely holding it all together. There are days when you feel lost, hopeless, and lacking direction. Stress, anxiety, fear, anger, and even depression are negatively impacting your relationships, your work, and your sense of confidence. You want so much more from your life but are not sure how to get there.

Being human is complex and at times, confusing. I am here to help you see beyond your challenges, understand your mind & how it works, learn to tackle the tough stuff effectively, & meet your own needs while staying aligned with your values. Together we will identify the patterns that hold you back & learn to develop the mindset needed to feel stronger, more compassionate, and more accepting towards yourself & others. This includes things like perfectionism, people-pleasing, poor boundaries, & self-criticism. The longest relationship you will have is the one with yourself. You deserve for it to be a good one.

I respect that everyone experiences life differently, coming to therapy with their own story; at times, the voice that tells the story is self-criticizing and judgemental. My hope for our work together is that you come back to yourself and recognize your inherent strength and capacity for growth. Working from an attachment-based and trauma-informed perspective, I will meet you in a space of authenticity and vulnerability as we explore your inner world and help you develop a stronger and safer connection to self, others, and the world around you. All of you is welcome here, and it is my pleasure to join you.

I enjoy working with clients of all backgrounds, and who present with a variety of psychological concerns. However, I'm most enthusiastic about working with folks who are undergoing significant life change, or who feel that a major change might be necessary. I'm also a keen supporter of mental wellbeing in veterans and first responders, expatriates and immigrants, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. I see clients either online, or in person via the Safe Haven Counselling clinic in northwest Calgary (www.safehavencounselling.org).

Accepting New Clients! I have 17 yrs of experience providing sexuality and relationship counselling. These topics are rarely discussed openly or in detail and often referred to in euphemistic terms that further cloud information. Yet, they are such primary and important parts of being human. While relational issues don't constitute your whole life, they can certainly colour your entire life. I use a multidisciplinary, trauma-informed approach to get clients the best results possible. Let's get your current relationship working for you or get you the relationship your deserve. Contact me today for info or to book an appointment.

INSIGHT & PRACTICE FOR CHANGE: I believe we all have the inherent ability to live a meaningful, satisfying, and connected life. At some point most people will become aware or begin to feel that they are somehow "off course", that "something needs to change" or that something new is desired. This realization is an opportunity to "adjust course", take stock, and intentionally re-align our lives. Sometimes small shifts can make incredible differences; other times we are called to dig deep. Whether you want to make personal, professional or relationship shifts, by reaching out to me you can trust that the change process has already started.

Therapy is never a one size fits all approach. We all are navigating different life circumstances that can impact how we are able to function. Working collaboratively we are able to understand where you are, and where you would like to be in your life. We go through many transitions that can be overwhelming, we can find ourselves stuck and not sure how to move forward. Through therapy, we can work towards understanding the narratives that are keeping us in place and work towards creating a future that you want. I can pull from different modalities - narrative, existentialism, CBT, somatic work, and I am a trained EMDR therapist.

Do you find yourself struggling with Anxiety, Stress, Trauma, Life Transitions, Grief, Boundaries, Self Esteem, Relationship or Parenting issues? I am offering support to Adults, Teens and Couples that are looking to enrich their connections with themselves, and those in their lives.

Currently welcoming new clients! I love working with people who are seeking balance in life; who want to find their stride and excel in what they are doing; who want to change the way they are feeling or behaving and find a better version of themselves. Whether it be struggles with anxiety, self-esteem, confidence, depression, conflict in romantic or social relationships, stress at work, the pressures of college or University, major life transitions, or ability to manage unwanted behaviour, I will be your ally in times of challenge and supporter in times of success.

I am a fellow human being on a journey of learning, growing and healing. I have been supporting beautiful, messy and imperfect people through the ups and downs of life for over a decade. My goal is to provide you with an experience of feeling seen, heard and connected to a mental health professional who can provide a safe non-judgmental space. I feel that we are all whole (even if we feel broken) and it is through this safe therapeutic relationship we can open up universes of possibilities like making sense of your experiences together, connecting with yourself and others with self-compassion, and learning research-based techniques.

Do you find yourself avoiding difficult emotions, situations, and experiences only to bottle it up and have it become an impossible monster to face? Emotions are complex, wonderful, sometimes confusing, but always precious things. Sometimes they help us feel the best we ever have, other times they make us feel like we aren’t in control and feel our worst. Finding ways to express emotions from all levels of this spectrum is a fundamental tool I am passionate about helping individuals develop. You deserve to find joy every day, and feel confident in your skills to maintain it long term.